Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-02-03
A Short Visit at Madison.

tIC AHuudl puSfuCCS mCCClDS VI tuC
Wisconsin Press Association. At
DexterviIle junction we were Joined
by Mr.. Germer, of the Pittsville
Independent, who's company we enjoy
ed on our Journey to Madison and
return. Tuesday morning at eight
o'clock we were safely landed in the
Capitol city. On our arrival we were
met at the depot by Mr. c. J. Carman,
who is lobbying in the interests of the
Federal Life Association bill that is
before the legislature for passage. 1t
is hoped that he may be successful in
getting the bill through. We made
our way to the senate chamber and
there found Senator Merrill busy in
the preparation of bills and other work
of his Office He took time to con-
verse with us on several matters of
importance to his senatorial district
also asked about his friends in Grand
Rapids The senator seems to be
popular among his fellow members, for
we noticed that while with him. that
his desk was often visited by senators
In reference to matters that were COM
ing up for action before the Judiciary
committee, of which he is a member
At ten o'clock we found our way to
the Agricultural Hall where the Press
Association were to hold their sessions
Some sixty editors and publishers
responded to their names when called
after which some information was
given by M essrs Coe and Hegg about
the succeeding sessions when the con-
vention adjourned to meet at 2 o'clock
P. IN.
The afternoon and evening session
on Tuesday, and the morning afternoon
and evening sessions on Wednesday,
were all interesting and instructive.
Subjects of vital interest and benefit
to the craft were discussed; papers
read, and personal experience in news
paper work given which were spirited
and highly entertaining. We would
not have missed this session for any,
thing as we hope to profit by its
teachings.
On our return home we read the
following in the last issue of the
Tribune: ''Mr A. i. Fontaine, editor
in chief of the Wood County Repor-
ter, has been at Madison during the
past week, ostensibly to attend the
meeting of the Wisconsin Press
Association. but as matter of fact to
witness the triumph of his long
coveted desire to see bill introduced
in the State Legislature providing that
the county printing for Wood County
be let to the lowest bidder"
The above is correct only in part.
We went ostensiby to attend the Press
Association, but while there in COM
pany with Mr. Tom Norton, of the
Marshfeld Times and Mr.. Germer, of
the Pittsville Independent, we present
ed bill to comply with the resolution
of the County Board passed by a
strong majority of that body at its
last session, as we had good reasons to
believe that the County officers were
not going to heed the resolution.
Wood County through her representa-
tives assembled have expressed them
selves by resolution and the above
persons intend to do all in their power
towards assisting in bringing about
that desired condition. We beg leave
TO present copy Of the bill:
A BILL.--To amend chapter 466, of
the general laws of 1885. entitled, An
act to amend chapter 21S, of the prl-
vate and local laws of 1886, entitled,
an act to provide for the county print
ing in the county of Portage, and the
acts amendatory thereof, and to extend
the application of said laws to the
county of Wood. The people of the
State of Wisconsin, represented in
Senate and Assembly, do enact as
follows:
Section /. The section 1, Of chapter
466, of the general laws Of 1885,
amendatory of chapter 21S, of the
private and local laws of 1868,
is hereby amended so as to read as fol-
lows: Section l. The board of super
visors of the county of Portage, and
the board of supervisors of the county
of Wood are hereby required annually
to let all county printing for their
said county respectively, including the
county treasurer's notice and statement
Of delinquent taxes, and the county
clerks list Of unredeemed lands, to the
lowest bidder; provided such lowest
bidder shall be the proprietor or pro-
prietors of weekly newspaper, which
shall have been established in said
county for at least two years prior to
the time of bidding; and provided,
that the said county boards of super
visors shall not in such letting, exceed
the present legal rates for printing the
same.
Section 2 All acts or parts of acts,
contravening the provisions of this act,
are hereby repealed.